Efficient Transformation of Catalpa bungei Shows Crystal Genes Conferring Resistance to the Shoot Borer Omphisa plagialis

Although Catalpa bungei is a forest plant with considerable economic and ornamental value in China, its wood and decorative qualities are constrained by insect pests such as the shoot borer Omphisa plagialis (Lepidoptera). Overexpressing insect resistance genes such as crystal genes to develop an insect-resistant variety of C. bungei is an environmental and ecological approach. However, genotype limitations and low regeneration rates of embryogenic calli (EC) inhibit the development of transformation and the insect-resistant gene expression system in C. bungei. Here, we first established embryogenic callus induction and regeneration systems of five genotypes using mature seed and stem segment explants; the highest induction and regeneration rates of EC were 39.89 and 100%, respectively. Next, an efficient and stable Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system was developed from EC and its positive frequency was up to 92.31%. Finally, using the transformation system, 15 and 22 transgenic C. bungei lines that expressed Cry2A and Cry9Aa-like were generated, respectively. These transgenic lines that exhibited significantly higher resistance to O. plagialis in the laboratory and field have great promise for meeting the challenge of future pest management under changing climatic conditions. Additionally, this efficient, fast, and stable transformation system could be a potential tool for gene function analysis and forest tree genetic improvement.

Novel approaches to circumvent the devastating effects of pests on sugarcane

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a cash crop grown commercially for its higher amounts of sucrose, stored within the mature internodes of the stem. Numerous studies have been done for the resistance development against biotic and abiotic stresses to save the sucrose yields. Quality and yield of sugarcane production is always threatened by the damages of cane borers and weeds. In current study two problems were better addressed through the genetic modification of sugarcane for provision of resistance against insects and weedicide via the expression of two modified cane borer resistant CEMB-Cry1Ac (1.8 kb), CEMB-Cry2A (1.9 kb) and one glyphosate tolerant CEMB-GTGene (1.4 kb) genes, driven by maize Ubiquitin Promoter and nos terminator. Insect Bio-toxicity assays were carried out for the assessment of Cry proteins through mortality percent of shoot borer Chilo infuscatellus at 2nd instar larvae stage. During V0, V1 and V2 generations young leaves from the transgenic sugarcane plants were collected at plant age of 20, 40, 60, 80 days and fed to the Chilo infuscatellus larvae. Up to 100% mortality of Chilo infuscatellus from 80 days old transgenic plants of V2 generation indicated that these transgenic plants were highly resistant against shoot borer and the gene expression level is sufficient to provide complete resistance against target pests. Glyphosate spray assay was carried out for complete removal of weeds. In V1-generation, 70–76% transgenic sugarcane plants were found tolerant against glyphosate spray (3000 mL/ha) under field conditions. While in V2-generation, the replicates of five selected lines 4L/2, 5L/5, 6L/5, L8/4, and L9/6 were found 100% tolerant against 3000 mL/ha glyphosate spray. It is evident from current study that CEMB-GTGene, CEMB-Cry1Ac and CEMB-Cry2A genes expression in sugarcane variety CPF-246 showed an efficient resistance against cane borers (Chilo infuscatellus) and was also highly tolerant against glyphosate spray. The selected transgenic sugarcane lines showed sustainable resistance against cane borer and glyphosate spray can be further exploited at farmer’s field level after fulfilling the biosafety requirements to boost the sugarcane production in the country.

Effect of Fruit Bagging on Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer for Quality Eggplant Production

The study was tested the technical feasibility of bagging eggplant fruits during production to protect them against Eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) following randomized complete block with 6 treatments. Highest number of marketable fruits per plant was produced by imported white bag (12.33), which was followed by butter paper bag (10.67). Maximum aborted fruit was obtained from the imported brown bag (23.33%) and HDPE bag (20.00%). The highest average fruit weight (363.33 g) was obtained from fruits bagged with Imported white, while maximum fruit length and fruit diameter was also produced from imported white bag (15.27 cm and 11.23 cm, respectively). Zero percent damage by eggplant fruit and shoot borer was produced by imported brown bag, imported white bag and butter paper bag, while higher infection was observed in open fruit (control) (17.70 %), HDPE bag (11.70 %). Bagging eggplant fruit produced 38.78 to 58.20 t/ha, while open fruit (control) produced only 35.66 t/ha. The highest calculated fruit yield 58.20 tons/ha was estimated from imported white bag and other bagging fruits were local brown bag (46.74 t/ha), HDPE bag (45.00 t/ha), butter paper bag (43.23 t/ha). The bagging of eggplant fruits with imported white bag and butter paper bag were more effective in reducing damage by eggplant fruit and shoot borer than the other bagging treatments and the control. These two treatments produced higher number of consumers preferred fruit, without negative effects on the color of the skin, fresh weight and fruit abortion, thus resulting in higher economic gains.

Pengendalian Hama dan Penyakit Utama Tebu (Saccharum officinarum L.) di PT PG Rajawali II Jatitujuh Majalengka

ABSTRACTPest and disease monitoring aim to determine the type, sign/symptoms, and intensity of attacks. The rat (Bandicota indica), stem borer (chilo sacchariphagus Bojer), and shoot borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker) place major constraints on a sugarcane plantation in PT PG Rajawali Jatitujuh Majalengka districts. The intensity of attacks (IS) of these pests reached 8.6%, 1.26%, and 0.86%, respectively. The intensity of rats reached as high as more than 5%. Shoot borer and stem borer attack are low under 5%. The smut disease caused by the fungus Ustilago scitaminea Sydow with an attacking intensity of 1.53% and belongs to the low category. Integrated pest and disease control include technical, physical / mechanical, biological, and chemical culture. ABSTRAKMonitoring hama dan penyakit bertujuan untuk mengetahui jenis, gejala, insidensi serangan dan cara pengendaliannya. Hama utama tebu di PT PG Rajawali II Jatitujuh Majalengka yaitu hama tikus wirok (Bandicota indica Bechstein), penggerek batang tebu/stem borer (Chilo sacchariphagus Bojer), dan penggerek pucuk tebu/shoot borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker). Insidensi serangan (IS) masing-masing mencapai 8,6%, 1,26% dan 0,86%. Insidensi serangan hama tikus tergolong tinggi dengan standar ambang batas ekonomi yang ditentukan yaitu 0%. Insidensi serangan hama penggerek tebu termasuk kategori ringan yaitu di bawah ambang ekonomi 5%. Penyakit utama yaitu luka api/cambuk jelaga yang disebabkan jamur Ustilago scitaminea Sydow dengan insidensi serangan 1.53% dan termasuk kategori ringan. Pengendalian hama dan penyakit dilakukan secara terpadu meliputi kultur teknis, fisik/mekanis, biologi dan kimia.

Bio-efficacy of Millettia pinnata oil soap in the suppression of brinjal fruit and shoot borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee

A field experiment to evaluate the efficacy of pungam (Millettia/Pongamia) oil soap at four different concentrations against brinjal fruit and shoot borer (BFSB), Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee and its effect on spiders of brinjal field revealed that application of 3% pungam oil soap brought down fruit damage to minimum level (12.94% on 7 days after third spray) followed by chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC (0.3 mL/L), 2, 1 and 0.6% pungam oil soap and neem oil soap 0.6%. Efficacy of chlorantraniliprole persisted up to 14th day of spray followed by pungam oil soap. None of the botanical or chemical pesticides found to influence the spider population until seven days. After 14 days of application soap solution either alone or with pungam oil increased spiders over the control whereas 14 DAS it was minimum in standard check.